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Travel can bring extraordinary new experiences, yet it can feel daunting for those with disabilities or travel-related anxieties. Allowing yourself to feel the initial fears and gently growing to deal with them can open doors to incredible journeys.
With Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetic eye condition that causes gradual vision loss leading to blindness, I’ve come to understand that travel isn’t about “overcoming” these fears; it’s about facing and embracing them, step-by-step.
Understanding the travel fear itself
It’s completely natural to feel anxious about travelling with a visual impairment. Travelling often means navigating new environments and relying on visual cues to feel safe and oriented – things that can be challenging when sight is limited.
Without the usual reference points, even simple tasks like finding a gate or reading signs can feel daunting.
This fear doesn’t mean you lack courage: it simply reflects the additional layers of planning and trust needed to feel secure on the journey. Recognising these feelings as valid is the first step in facing travel with confidence and self-compassion.
Through mindfulness and thoughtful preparation, I have discovered that travel can become a space of exploration, self-discovery and self-compassion.
After many years of travelling for the LEGO Group in my role as Senior Art Director, and later as a keynote speaker on the international stage, I’ve created this guide that offers gentle, practical steps for managing travel fears and creating an experience that feels safe, supported and open to discovery.
8 tips to challenge your travel fears
Common to all these tips is that openness about your situation will take you the furthest. It can be challenging to share with strangers that you have specific needs, as it may trigger feelings of inadequacy. But the first step on your journey is overcoming this challenge. The more open you are about your needs, the easier it will be for you to travel.
1. Thorough preparation and clear communication
Before I travel, I always contact the airline to inform them of my needs. Most airlines offer assistance, and it’s essential to arrange this in advance. I’ve found that when I communicate my needs clearly, I most often receive the necessary support for everything from check-in to boarding.
In the days leading up to a trip, I always meditate on how I’d like the journey to unfold. Mentally, I envision arriving at the airport, checking in and navigating through security.
As I go through these scenarios, I practice slow, deep breathing to help my body acclimatise to the idea. This way, I’m better prepared to handle situations calmly as they arise in the moment.
2. Using technology and apps
Technology is an indispensable resource when I travel. In addition to the airline’s app, which I download to receive flight updates, I also use my smartwatch for quick access to my boarding pass, making the airport process much smoother. Instead of having to find my printed boarding pass, I can quickly scan it directly from my watch.
My watch also has navigation, which is incredibly useful as I move through the airport. I get directions directly on the watch, allowing me more easily to find my way to the gate or baggage claim if I’m travelling without assistance. This helps me feel more independent and reduces my reliance on others for navigating unfamiliar environments.
Any smartwatch with GPS can be used, but I personally prefer an Apple Watch, since I already have an iPhone and the two devices work seamlessly together. You can experiment and find your own preferred devices. Additionally, it should be noted that these solutions depend on the quality of the internet connection and other structural conditions in the airport.
3. Navigate security with mindful patience
Going through security can be a stress factor for all of us, but as someone who is legally blind, it requires extra patience. When I arrive at the security checkpoint, I inform the staff that I need assistance and take my time to follow all instructions. With a positive and patient attitude, I’ve found that most people are willing to help.
I remember one trip to London particularly well. The security staff were unfamiliar with visual impairments and didn’t immediately understand my needs. I calmly explained my situation, and after a bit of dialogue, a supervisor arrived to assist me. It was an experience that reminded me to stay calm and communicate clearly – it always pays off.
4. Onboard the plane
When I get onboard the plane, it’s important for me to settle in and become familiar with my seat and surroundings. The flight attendants are usually very helpful and can explain where the emergency exits, seatbelt and other facilities are located. I often ask how to find my way to the toilet or other essential points.
I remember one flight where the flight attendant, after noticing my cane, took extra time to explain how I could navigate around the plane. This experience highlighted how important it is to make our needs known, to show trust, to ask questions and to get the necessary information so we can feel more independent during the flight.
5. Mindfulness and calm during travel
As a mindfulness teacher, I understand the importance of bringing awareness to the present moment, especially in times of stress. When I feel my heart pounding from the exertion of getting through security and navigating the airport, I don’t resist it; instead, I simply allow it to be, recognising it as a signal that my mind is caught in conflict with the present moment. What I’m experiencing right now. Rather than resisting what is, I open myself to it fully, observing my body’s reaction without judgement.
With each breath, I come back to the stillness within, grounding my awareness in the sensations of my body – the feeling of my feet on the ground, my hands, the sounds around me. In accepting what is, I invite peace into my experience. I create Inner Peace in Outer Chaos. I let go of resistance, allowing my body and mind to settle into a natural state of harmony.
I’ve created a guided meditation, “Just being here now” that can help you explore and practise this. Listen to more guided meditations here.
6. Be open to help
Although I value my independence, I’ve learned to accept help when it’s offered. Airline and airport staff are often attentive and helpful, and it can create a better experience when I’m open, smiling and grateful.
One memorable experience was when I needed to find my bag after landing, and a fellow passenger spontaneously offered to help. His kindness reminded me that there are people around us who genuinely want to assist, and that it’s okay to accept their help.
7. Adapting to the destination
When I arrive at my destination, I take the time to get oriented. I ask the hotel staff for a tour and learn where the different facilities are. By taking this time, I quickly become familiar with my surroundings and can navigate with greater confidence.
In the past, I’ve had challenges finding my way around hotels and similar places, but by using my GPS and talking to the staff, I get the information I need. This preparation gives me the freedom to move around and explore the place on my own terms.
8. Keeping track of your things
It’s always important to keep track of your belongings, but as someone who is legally blind, it’s even more crucial. I always make sure to have small bags for my torch, cane and sunglasses so that I have them within reach at all times.
I also follow a set routine, always placing my things in the same spots in my rucksack, so I don’t have to search for them each time I need them. This helps me conserve my energy.
I remember one time when I couldn’t find my phone in my hotel room. The furnishings were dark, and the lighting was very dim, so it took me a while to locate it. It was a stressful moment that I could have avoided if I had chosen a specific spot for my phone rather than placing it somewhere randomly. But in this way, we learn from our small mistakes, and mistakes can turn into wisdom.
From Hopelessness Street to Possibility Road
Travelling as someone who is legally blind can feel especially challenging, but with preparation, technology, a positive mindset and mindful presence, it’s possible to navigate such experiences with confidence.
By communicating clearly, using the right tools and being open to assistance, one can approach travel with self-assurance and independence. It’s not necessarily about overcoming the fear and discomfort of travel, but about challenging oneself to face the fear, allow it to exist and transform it into wisdom.
Our adversities can teach us about ourselves, and my challenges continuously teach me new ways to adapt. They remind me that adversities are an opportunity to grow and explore the world, no matter what obstacles lie ahead.
What I’ve learned
My vision loss and my life of mindful presence have taught me to remain calm when faced with the unexpected. This ability to find Inner Peace in Outer Chaos is something I now share with my clients, as well as in my talks and workshops. And it is the subject of my book Sentenced To Blindness – Now What?
For me, travel is not just about reaching the destination, but also about being present along the way and facing challenges with an open and calm mindset. I call it moving from Hopelessness Street to Possibility Road.
Who is Morten Bonde?
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